After meeting with Crane, he said that while he will not have a contract for the 2013 season, he is willing to make limited appearances on a voluntary basis as his schedule allows and will revisit his association with the team after the season.

“It was an unburdening to have the guy who makes the decisions sit with me so I could explain how I felt,” Dierker said. “I don’t want to horn in on what they are doing (for the 2013 season) and don’t mind waiting. Everything is fine.

“I’m willing to do some things for them. If they need some help and reach out to me and I’m going to be here, I’ll do it.”

Dierker said he explained to Crane that while he is not interested in studio work on Comcast SportsNet Houston, he would like a chance to return to game broadcasts if circumstances warrant.

“It was a great relief for me,” he said. “I don’t think anybody completely understood how I felt. Going forward I would still like to broadcast, but if they’re happy with the way things have turned out, I can live with that. If they want to make a change, they know I’m here and ready and willing and able.”